Board Slate Duly Elected

Five Chamber members will assume duties as members of the Chamber’s board of directors in January 2007 following board action to approve the slate.  The members, slated by the nominating committee, will serve three-year terms.  They include:  

• Jeff Burke, vice president, Steel and Pipe Supply Processing Company.  Jeff has been active in the Chamber’s economic development program, and has previously served on the Chamber board. 
• Debbie Davis, president, Prudential First, REALTORS.  Debbie has completed the Leadership Greater Topeka program and is the 2006 president of the Topeka Area Association of REALTORS. 
• Ann E. O’Bryan, owner of HealthWorks, Inc. Ann has been an active member of the Chamber’s Fast Forward and Business After Hours committees.  Ann is a member of the Kansas Mayor’s Council on Community Health & Wellness and co-chairs the Topeka Taste of the Trail event.
• Jim Ogle, vice president/general manager of WIBW-TV.  A recent newcomer to Topeka, Jim brings Chamber experience from previous communities and participated in the Chamber’s recent Inter-City Visit to Little Rock, Arkansas.
• Larry Robbins, Topeka plant manager for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.  Robbins has previously served on the Chamber board, and he’s been active with the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Greater Topeka, and Junior Achievement.

In addition, two Chamber members have been elected to fill vacant positions on the board:

• Lucky DeFries, partner in the law firm of Coffman, DeFries & Nothern, P.A.  A specialist in the areas of state and local taxation, DeFries has been active in the Chamber’s governmental affairs area and has served as Chamber chairman of the board. 
• Tom Swank, senior vice president and chief financial officer, Security Benefit.